A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

Gerhardt is considered one of the best Lutheran hymn-writers. He wrote 133 hymns in all, twenty-one of which are included in The Lutheran Hymnal.

“Paul Gerhardt wrote the hymn ALamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth in 1648 at age 41. Gerhardt grew up during the Thirty-Years War and lived a life marked with hardship and suffering, both physical and theological. His time as a Lutheran pastor in Germany was marked with controversy between the Lutherans and the Reformed. Gerhardt stood firm against the elector (governor) and compelled the Lutheran pastors not to compromise their faith.

“A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth has been called “the masterpiece of all Passion hymns.” (Pollack, The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal, 111) One of the great themes of the hymn is the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God. In both the Old and New Testaments the Scriptures picture the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God. Isaiah 53:4-7 describes the Messiah as the suffering servant, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” St John the Baptist continues this theme of the Lamb of God in His preaching, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” [ St John 1:29]1

More about the Author, Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt’s faith and character can be seen in an excerpt from the “testament” he prepared for his son:

“Now that I have reached the 70th year of my life and also have the joyful hope that my dear, holy God will soon rescue me out of this world and lead me into a better life than I have had until now on earth, I thank Him especially for all His kindness and faithfulness which, from my mother’s womb until the present hour, He has shown me in body and soul and in all that He has given me. Besides this, I ask Him from the bottom of my heart that when my hour comes He would grant me a happy departure, take my soul into His fatherly hands, and give my body a peaceful rest in the ground until the dear Last Day, when I, with all of my [family] who have been before me and also may remain after me, will reawake and behold my dear Lord Jesus Christ face to face, in whom I have believed but have not yet seen. To my only son whom I am leaving behind I leave few earthly goods, but with them I leave him an honorable name of which he will not have to be ashamed. read the rest…

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